The air was definitely thicker at sea level. Stick-to-her-lungs thicker.
“April?” he asked.
She was starting to panic. More than a little.
“I don’t know how this is going to work, and I have no idea how to do forever, but I want to try. I want you to come back. Rachel told me—”
Yes, definitely thicker.
He started to pull away. “My sister probably said some things she shouldn’t have.”
“Did she tell the truth?” April looked up at him with every hope molecule of her being.
He traced his fingertip along her cheek. “I guess that depends on what she told you.”
April’s throat worked as she swallowed. “That you fell in love with me.”
Because, dear goodness, she’d also fallen head over heart for him.
“Then I guess she told you the truth, because I did,” he said, earnest and honest.
Her eyes misted, and she rolled up on her toes to brush her lips against his. There were a lot of other words that needed to be said, but he was like a drug with his mouth so close to hers, and that trumped everything else. Oh, dear goodness, he was feeling her up. That was definitely a good sign. Right?
Well, two can play at that game, Mr. Gibson.She let the back of her hand brush across the fly of his pants.
“You don’t have to love me back,” he said when they came up for air. “Not yet. But let’s give it a chance to happen?”
“I love you, too, Jack Gibson.” Gently, she grazed her nose against his.
“Then that’s plenty.” He held her against him and…damn, that felt good. “Let’s take it day by day? We don’t have to think further ahead than that.”
He would give that to her? Exactly what she needed when she didn’t even know it?
April nodded, her cheek brushing against his chest with the movement. Then she pulled back so his gaze bound with hers.
“Banana,” she said with firm resolve. She hoped beyond hope that that word from her lips—and the meaning it held—would say everything.
He threw his head back and laughed.
“Ribbit,” he replied.
She pressed the back of her hand against her mouth. She loved him.
So. So. Much.
“Banana,” he said, the word coming out rough.
Banana for forever and forever.
“What just happened here?” Sarah asked from somewhere near the kitchen.
“I’m thinking it’s going to work out,” Ben said, but the words were getting quieter, so she was pretty sure he was leading Sarah away.
April’s forehead still pressed against his as she nodded. “He’s right.”
Life would probably be nutty with three kids and a try at happiness, but it would not always be bananas. Still, she knew without a doubt she loved this man. And it sounded like he might love her, too—her messy life. Her kids. Her…everything.
“I love you, April Davis,” he murmured against the crown of her head like it wasn’t a huge gift.
